How to Set Up a Rural Business

Businesses come in many shapes and sizes. Although we might immediately picture power suits and skyscrapers when we think of businesses, this is a false assumption, as a huge number of businesses simply do not function in these environments - or even in cities at all. If you want to own your own business, but live the life of your dreams in the countryside, it’s easy to fall into the trap of seeing this as an impossible dream. It isn’t. There are plenty of start-up ideas that fit perfectly into a rural lifestyle. All you need to set up a rural business is an idea, the drive to make it happen, and a few practical considerations.

Transport and Equipment

Depending on the type of venture you want to run, you may need different elements to make it happen. There are many business ideas that will work in a rural location, from online services such as website design that can be done from anywhere, to crafts that you can sell either at local markets or online, to the site-specific production of farms. Each business will require different considerations. Make a list of everything you need - even the basics - and ensure it is all in place. With an online business, for example, you will need a strong internet connection, which isn’t always the easiest commodity in rural locations. If you are delivering goods, research the local postal service and discover how you can use it most effectively. Rural locations can be beautiful and unique, but they all operate in different ways to cities, so it’s important to adjust your plans to your specific environment.

Relying on the Land

Land-based businesses such as farming and husbandry can be one of the most difficult and also most rewarding ways to make a living. They require relatively large amounts of capital to get started, and the risks can be high. Here, you will be relying on the land for your success, and natural events such as storms, flooding and drought will affect you just as much as the business considerations that everyone else has to deal with! To mitigate these risks, make sure you have done extensive research, get good business insurance, and always have as many contingency plans as you can. 

Commitment

Living in the countryside has an idyllic feel to it, doesn’t it? You imagine long morning strolls, the smell of coffee in the afternoon, letting any kids run wild in the fields. Well, don’t get carried away. Whilst living and setting up a business in a rural location certainly comes with a different quality of life to the city, it is just as much hard work! In order to make your rural business a success, you’ll need to be prepared for hard graft, early mornings, and even manual labour - perhaps even more intensely than if you worked in an office. Setting up a business anywhere requires commitment, and rural businesses are no different. However, if you are willing to put in the hours and the energy, the rewards can be enormous.